Reflections from CEDIA 2026

At CEDIA Expo 2026, one theme was abundantly clear: When custom integrators say they provide “whole home control,” they mean the whole home.

Controlling highly visible systems like lights, security, and entertainment is table stakes. A high-performance home must also automate the invisible infrastructure behind the drywall: energy management, wellness, and climate.

Some of these mechanical systems aren’t designed for integration with IoT platforms—but custom integrators are up to the challenge. Throughout the show, we spoke to integrators looking for reliable HVAC integration solutions that would preserve the features and performance of their customers’ state-of-the-art systems.

“The custom integration world has changed,” says Airzone Director of Sales and Business Development Victoria Garcia Massimo. “The CEDIA channel now understands the complexity of inverter HVAC units. They know that if a client has a heat pump or a VRF system, they need an integration control gateway to connect it to a home automation system without losing functionality.

“That said, every custom integration project is different,” she continued. “Integrators always have questions about whether we can solve the unique challenges of their next big project.”

Fortunately, with native integrations spanning the leading home automation platforms and solutions for both 1:1 unit control and ducted zoning systems, Airzone is a one-stop-shop for HVAC control integration, with 250+ compatible HVAC brands and 40+ integration options.

What Does Airzone Offer Custom Integrators?

Airzone bridges the gap between inverter HVAC and custom integration. The Aidoo line of control integration gateways enables bi-directional communication between inverter HVAC units and home automation platforms, while preserving efficiency and enabling remote control and monitoring features.

Airzone maintains an exclusive library of certified HVAC manufacturer protocols, ensuring each Aidoo “speaks the unit’s native language.” On the home automation side, the flagship Airzone Aidoo Pro offers native integrations for leading home automation platforms including:

• Crestron
• Control4
• Lutron
• Savant
• Josh AI
• bodhi
• Home Assistant

Aidoo Pro offers wireless and wired integration options to suit any project requirements. Aidoo Pro STI integrates smart thermostats from Nest, Honeywell Home, and ecobee, while Aidoo Zigbee, Aidoo Z-Wave, and Aidoo KNX bring inverter HVAC into popular standard-protocol smart home ecosystems.

Learn More About HVAC/Smart Home Integration

Custom integrators can learn more about how HVAC control fits into their existing workflows in the on-demand webinar “Integrate Smart HVAC into the Home Automation Ecosystem”.

This webinar explores the full Aidoo product line and explains how custom integrators can use this control integration gateway with their preferred home automation platform, infrastructure, and software. It also explores how to combine HVAC automation with scenes, schedules, and occupancy-based controls to improve client comfort and save energy.

Airzone Awarded for Wellness Technology

At CEDIA 2026, Airzone was honored to receive the Residential Tech Today 2026 Innovation Award for the Airzone AirQ sensor.

AirQ sensor continuously monitors air quality factors like carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter and provides both at-a-glance overall air quality readings through a colored LED on the sensor, and detailed readings and pollutant-specific graphs in the Airzone Cloud app.

AirQ is more than a monitoring device, however: it’s an automation tool. When AirQ detects a drop in indoor air quality, it can activate dedicated outdoor air systems to improve air quality. It can also activate humidifier and dehumidifier systems to keep relative humidity within a comfortable range.

AirQ is Works with WELL certified, and an accredited monitor under the RESET® healthy building certification program. This device, arriving in the American market in early 2027, allows integrators to make meaningful contributions to their customers’ health and wellness.

Wellness design is one of the fastest-growing luxury real estate trends. By bringing active indoor air quality control to the North American market, Airzone is preparing integrators to take on the next big opportunity in smart home.

Missed CEDIA Expo in Denver? Meet up with Airzone in NYC!

If you’d like to connect with Airzone in person and learn more about how our control integration solutions improve energy efficiency and wellness outcomes, stop by our booth at Greenbuild International Conference and Expo 2026:

• Date: October 20-23, 2026
• Location: The Javits Center, New York City
• Booth #1113

Greenbuild is the premier event for professionals looking for solutions to improve sustainability, resilience, health and wellness across their projects. We hope to see you there!